In early May, the NFL announced that its general counsel Jeff Pash is retiringbut that he will stay on until the NFL finds a replacement.

The NFL has now taken a major step toward doing just that. Via Ben Fischer of Sports Business MagazineThe NFL has hired Russell Reynolds Associates to find a replacement for Pash.

The process has begun in recent weeks. The broader question is whether the new general counsel could become a candidate to become the new commissioner, if/when the current commissioner ever retires.

That’s not a criticism. He’s perfected the work and he’s making a lot of money doing it. Why would he stop? I certainly wouldn’t.